The Big Day

Made just before the dynamic, diametric shift of the more confrontational kitchen sink dramas like 'Poor Cow', and 'Darling', 'The Big Day' is a little more stolidly fashioned B-feature, while considerably less showy, Peter Graham Scott's compact, well acted drama about the the sly, internecine machinations of 3 disparate employees of a busy, mid-sized firm up for a directorship has much to recommend it to fans of vintage British melodrama. What might have been a somewhat glum, downbeat drama was vividly coloured by some robust acting from a capable cast with notably strong, well nuanced performances by future Hammer Horror scream queen Andree Melly as the immature, trampy, greatly manipulative teenage mistress Nina Wentworth, and terror titan Donald Pleasence is simply terrific as the melancholy, self-doubting accountant Victor Partridge whose somewhat sordid extra marital affair dramatically threatens both his mental equilibrium and his diminishing chances of promotion. 'The Big Day' is an engrossing study of toxic office politics, while not often mentioned, it remains a fascinating document, a fine, dramatically sound feature that proves once again what sublime acting range Harry H. Corbett revealed when playing straight, darker-edged roles, effortlessly oozing underhanded sleaze as the bone idol, money-grubbing schnook Harry Jackson.

An incisive, economy-sized British version of 'Executive Suite' with an extraordinary cast, most of them better known for comedy and here much younger than we're accustomed to seeing them, which vouchsafes such cynical insights into office politics as "I find mediocrity around me less trouble."

In addition to the men the film also boasts a strong female lineup with radio comediennes Andree Melly and Betty Marsden as Lola to Donald Pleasance's Emil Jannings and William Franklyn's nagging wife respectively.

Great character all very well acted. Three very different candidates after the plum position and willing to use dirty tricks to get it. Very short and as it was so good it would have been even better if it had been a bit longer. A bit odd that it was so short. A very enjoyable watch and an interesting look at late 50s early 60s office life with not a PC or laptop in sight but plenty of typewriters clicking away.

A strongly recommended watch as a good film and a look at a time long since passed, unfortunately. Not seen by many, which is a shame, going by the low number of reviews so see if if you get the chance.

This film was shown as part of the NFT season featuring B films of the 50s and 60s as a companion piece to the recently published book on the subject.There has not been one clinker in the 8 films which were shown to packed audiences.According to the programme notes this film did not achieve a circuit release because it could not easily be pigeon holed into one category.Essentially it is about 3 men competing to become the new director of a small engineering company.We see the contrasting work and home life of the three candidates.Donald Pleasance is the lead.The cast is full of well known TV faces such as Harry H Corbett and William Franklyn and that immortal radio comedienne Betty(Round The Horne)MarsdenGiven that the film was made in the early 60s it is extremely frank about sex.The ending is ironic and rather sad.If it is ever released on DVD i would certainly recommend it.

Almost didn't record this due to the insipid description on talking pictures, but wow head and shoulders one of the best old British films I've seen on there.every ageing middle managers dream, excellent pacing strong plot no weak link in the cast and perfect run time,the 1st film on talking pictures that I didn't fast forward 1 minute.